Vehicle protection system and method of making same

ABSTRACT

The present invention broadly comprises a protection system for a vehicle on a surface comprising a frame having a plurality of struts projecting from the vehicle, wherein the frame extends along the surface and terminates at a periphery spaced from the vehicle, a brace disposed over the vehicle, and, a flexible material coupling the brace to the periphery of the frame. The present invention also comprises a method of protecting a vehicle from weather comprising positioning an anchor beneath a tire of the vehicle, disposing a frame having a plurality of struts around the vehicle, coupling at least two of the plurality of struts to the anchor, suspending a brace on a roof of the vehicle, encapsulating the vehicle with a flexible material having a perimeter edge, and releasably securing the perimeter edge of the flexible material to the frame.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

None.

REFERENCE TO A “SEQUENCE LISTING”

None.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to a method and apparatus for protecting vehicles from intense weather, and more particularly to a flexible material coupling a brace to a frame providing an impact resistant system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Severe weather such as tropical storms, hail, tornadoes, wildfires, and hurricanes has recently destroyed thousands of businesses and homes. Hurricanes are particularly problematic as multiple storms develop each season, and the torrential rains and heavy winds of each storm launch windborne objects that destroy homes, vehicles and other property. According to the Insurance Information Institute, insurance companies paid approximately $40.6 billion from damage cause by Hurricane Katrina alone. This includes nearly $2.2 billion that was paid by insurance companies for damage to vehicles.

Since these types of natural disasters occur repeatedly, insurance companies in states prone to severe weather are unsuccessful in maintaining a profit and being self-sustaining. Therefore, property owners suffer catastrophic losses which cannot be fully recovered from insurance companies. Thus, it is most desirable to protect personal and real property from damage during severe weather.

The conventional method for protecting personal and real property is to cover the property with a tarp and to place plywood over windows, doors and other openings. While this method is inexpensive, it is also ineffective. Vehicles are particularly difficult to protect as the body is vulnerable to moderate to severe dents by windborne objects. Further, the glass can crack, break or even burst from windborne debris and changes in air pressure. Even if a vehicle is stored in a garage during a storm, vehicles are still subject to damage if the garage structure fails under the intense winds. For example, garage doors are susceptible to being breached as a result of the increased air pressure and debris.

Others have attempted to create shelters to store and protect vehicles. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,655,236 to Dorame et al. describes a portable carport having a spacer, anchors and support assemblies arranged to hold a cover above the vehicle. However, the carport does not encapsulate the vehicle and does not have a substantial support structure, leaving the vehicle vulnerable to impinging wind and windborne objects.

Further, U.S. Pat. No. 4,944,321 to Moyet-Ortiz describes a portable vehicle garage structure having a plurality of support members extending upwardly from support members, wherein the support members are positioned underneath a wheel of the vehicle. A cover is placed over the support members. While the shelter attempts to encapsulate the vehicle, the structure is not aerodynamically shaped and impinging air can easily pass beneath the cover. Therefore, the portable garage structure cannot withstand the force of impinging wind and windborne objects. Further, this structure does not rely on the vehicle for support and can be constructed without the vehicle present since it is self-supporting.

What is needed then is a method and apparatus for encapsulating a vehicle to protect the vehicle from severe weather.

An aerodynamic shaped apparatus for protecting a vehicle is also needed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a protection system for a vehicle positioned on a surface which includes a plurality of struts extending along a surface and terminating at a periphery spaced from the vehicle.

It is another object of the invention to provide an encapsulation system to protect a vehicle from severe weather which increases in volume in response to impinging air.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a method of protecting a vehicle by forming an aerodynamic structure that is secured by the weight of the vehicle.

In accordance with the forgoing objects, the present invention includes a protection system for a vehicle on a surface. The protection system includes a lower frame having a plurality of struts projecting from the vehicle. The struts extend along the surface, such as a ground surface, and terminate at a periphery spaced from the vehicle. The vehicle protection system also includes a brace disposed on the vehicle and a flexible material coupling the brace to the periphery of the lower frame.

The present invention also comprises an encapsulation system including a plurality of anchors, a brace, and a flexible material. Each of the anchors has at least two struts projecting from the anchors, extending along a surface, and terminating at a spaced location. A brace is disposed above the plurality of anchors and is coupled to the spaced location of the struts by a flexible material.

The encapsulation system can include adjustable strut channels to accommodate vehicles of various sizes by changing the distance of the spaced periphery. A person having ordinary skill in the art can determine a preferred range of encapsulation system sizes that accommodates a particular category of vehicles.

The invention also includes the steps of protecting a vehicle from weather including positioning an anchor beneath a tire of the vehicle, disposing a lower frame having a plurality of struts around the vehicle, suspending a brace on a roof of the vehicle, encapsulating the vehicle with a flexible material having a perimeter edge, and releasably securing the perimeter edge of the flexible material to the lower frame.

The invention will now be described in detail in terms of the drawings and the description which follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a protection system showing a vehicle encapsulated in a flexible material supported by a brace and a lower frame.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the lower frame shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an anchor plate of the protection system.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the anchor plate of FIG. 4, taken generally along line 4-4 in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the brace of a protection system for the vehicle.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the protection system encapsulating the vehicle.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the anchor of the protection system for the vehicle showing strut channels receiving struts and the flexible material releasably secured to the struts.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the anchor of the protection system for the vehicle showing the flexible material releasably secured to the struts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

At the outset, it should be appreciated that the use of the same reference number throughout the several figures designates a like or similar element.

Referring now to the figures, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle protection system 10 for a vehicle 12. The vehicle protection system 10 broadly comprises a brace 14, a lower frame 16 comprising a plurality of struts 18 a, 18 b, 18 c, and 18 d, and a flexible material 20. It should be apparent that vehicle means any transportation device, for example, compact, mid-sized or full-sized cars, trucks, vans, minivans, boats (including boats mounted on trailers), etc. The struts 18 a, 18 b, and 18 c extend along a surface and terminate at a periphery spaced from the vehicle 12. By “surface” is meant to refer to the ground surface or other type of surface the vehicle 12 is positioned on. The struts 18 d are also referred to herein as perimeter rods and surround the vehicle 12 proximal to the terminal ends of the struts 18 a, 18 b, and 18 c, defining the spaced periphery. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the struts 18 a-18 d are substantially parallel to the ground surface. By “substantially parallel” it is meant that the struts 18 a-18 c lie in a plane having an angle that is less than 20 degrees from the ground surface, preferably less than 10 degrees and more preferably less than 5 degrees.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the terminal ends 22 of the struts 18 a, 18 b, and 18 c are connected, via connectors 24, to perimeter rods 18 d disposed along the spaced periphery. It should be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art that the distance of the spaced periphery is adjustable and determined according to the preferred “angle of incidence” of wind and debris deflecting off the surface of the flexible material 20. That is, without the vehicle protection system 10, a significant amount of wind and debris will strike the surface of the vehicle 12 “straight-on” meaning at a line perpendicular to the surface of the vehicle 12. The vehicle protection system 10, however, includes the flexible material 20 having angled sides that will cause a significant amount of wind and debris to strike the surface of the system 10 at an “angle of incidence,” wherein the wind and debris will be deflected at an angle from the line perpendicular to a planar surface of flexible material 20. The angle of incidence is preferably, greater than 5 degrees, more preferably greater than 25 degrees and even more preferably greater than 45 degrees.

This angle of incidence is a vector that can be resolved into a horizontal component and a perpendicular component. Having a greater angle of incidence increases the horizontal component magnitude and decreases the perpendicular component magnitude. Decreasing the perpendicular component magnitude will reduce the amount of force the vehicle protection system 10 sustains when struck by wind and debris. Thus, increasing the spaced periphery distance, that is the distance from the vehicle to the perimeter rods 18 d, reduces the angle between the flexible material 20 and the ground surface, increases the angle of incidence of wind and debris striking the surface of the flexible material 20, and thereby reduces the force sustained by the protection system 10.

Further, the spacing between the vehicle 12 and the flexible material 20 allows the impact to be absorbed away from the vehicle 12, leaving the vehicle 12 sheltered from hurricane force winds, heavy rain, and debris.

The connectors 24 include openings 26 wherein opening 26 receives the terminal end 22 of one of the struts 18 a, 18 b, 18 c, and 18 d. The connectors 24 can be block-shaped, round, triangular, etc. In a preferred embodiment, a connector 19 has openings disposed on different planes and at predetermined angles that correspond to the angle of the converging terminal ends 28 of the struts 18 d. The struts 18 a and 18 b can project perpendicularly from anchor plates 30, wherein the struts 18 a extend from the front or the back of the vehicle 12, depending on whether the anchor 30 is positioned in front of or behind the vehicle. The struts 18 b and 18 c extend from the side of the vehicle 12. The struts 18 c preferably extend from the anchor plate 30 at an angle suitable for providing additional support to the lower frame 16. The struts 18 a-18 d and the connectors 24 can be made of any impact resistant material, including but not limited to metal, fiberglass, stainless steel, aluminum, rubber, plastic, high durometer plastic, polyurethane, etc.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the anchor plate 30, in one embodiment, has a substantially rectangular base 32 having an inclined entry ramp 34 and rear stop 36 on both ends 37, 39. Although dual inclined entry ramps 34 on each anchor 30 are not required, dual inclined entry ramps 34 are preferable to allow the anchor plate 30 to be used at any position and orientation.

The anchor plates 30 are preferably disposed under the wheels of the vehicle. That is, one of the inclined entry ramps 34 of each anchor plate 30 is preferably placed immediately in front of each wheel of a vehicle, such that the vehicle can be moved forward onto the anchor plates 30. Alternatively, one of the inclined entry ramps 34 of each anchor plate 30 is placed behind each wheel, such that the vehicle is moved backwards onto the anchor plates 30. The weight of the vehicle 12, therefore, secures the protecting system 10 in place. It should be apparent that the anchor plate 30, instead, can be secured to the ground. The anchor plate 30 can be made of any impact resistant, load bearing, material such as stainless steel, plastic, aluminum or other types of metals, or fiberglass. In a preferred embodiment, anchor plates 30 are placed under four wheels of the vehicle 12, however, more or fewer anchor plates 30 can be used to accommodate vehicles 12 having fewer or more wheels. For example, only two or three anchor plates 30 are used in a vehicle protection system 10 configured for a boat trailer. Each anchor plate 30 preferably includes strut channels 38 a, 38 b and 38 c. The strut channels 38 a, 38 b and 38 c are each configured to receive the terminal end 28 of struts 18 a, 18 b, or 18 c, respectively.

In an embodiment of the invention, the strut channels 38 a, 38 b and 38 c are each through-bores, allowing each strut 18 a, 18 b, and 18 c to extend entirely through one of the channels 38 a, 38 b and 38 c, thereby providing an adjustable vehicle protection system 10. In this embodiment, the channels 38 a, 38 b and 38 c are preferably disposed along different planes and can include a releasable clamping mechanism 40 to retain the struts 18 a, 18 b, and 18 c in a desired position. The releasable clamping mechanism 40 may comprise collars abutting the channel openings on each side of the through-bore, compression rings tightened via a release lever, or a similar mechanism known by those having ordinary skill in the art. The struts 18 a, 18 b and 18 c can also include threaded terminal ends 28 that are received by threaded openings 26. Alternatively, the connectors 24 can include a locking mechanism arranged to engage the struts 18 a, 18 b and 18 c. More specifically, a spring biased cam can be actuated to engage protruding notches along the terminal ends 28 of the struts 18 a, 18 b and 18 c. A further locking mechanism includes a cam having an eccentric disk that engages the terminal end 28 of a strut 18 a, 18 b and 18 c when actuated. One skilled in the art would appreciate that other locking mechanisms can be used to secure the struts 18 a, 18 b and 18 c in the desired position.

The perimeter rods 18 d can also be adjustable, for example via telescopic joints or ball and spring joint mechanisms, to change the distance of the circumference. More preferably, the struts 18 d have four perpendicularly disposed adjustable assembly mechanisms 19 that allow the perimeter of the struts 18 d to be adjusted. The vehicle protection system 10, therefore, can be adjusted by the consumer to accommodate vehicles of various sizes. For example, it should be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art that the vehicle protection system 10 can be manufactured to accommodate most sized sedans and then adjusted by the consumer to accommodate the length, width and shape of the particular vehicle. Further, the vehicle protection system 10 can be utilized within a garage by reducing the distance of the spaced periphery accordingly.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the vehicle protection system 10 includes twelve struts 18 a-18 c, eight perimeter rods 18 d and four anchors 30, wherein a set of three struts 18 a, 18 b and 18 c project from each of the four anchors 30. The brace 14 and the lower frame 16 are coupled via the flexible material 20. A plurality of struts 18 d can be connected via bungee cords, allowing the struts 18 d to be more easily assembled.

As show in FIGS. 5-6, the brace 14 is disposed on the roof of the vehicle 12 and includes a platform disposed to hold the flexible material 20 distal to the vehicle 12. Preferably, the brace 14 is a frusto-pyramidal shaped platform having a width greater than the width of the vehicle 12. That is, the brace 14 preferably has a length in the range of ten to forty feet, a width in the range of six to twenty feet, and a height in the range of four to sixteen feet. In another embodiment of the invention, the brace 14 is sized to accommodate a recreational vehicle (RV) and includes a platform that has a length in the range of twenty to forty-four feet, a width in the range of six to twenty feet and a height in the range of one to five feet. The brace 14 provides additional support for the flexible material 20 and further protects the windshield and the back window of the vehicle 12. The brace 14 can include two extension poles that project from the brace 14 to the hood and trunk of a vehicle 12 which may be especially useful for larger or longer vehicles, such as station wagons, recreational vehicles (RV), sport utility vehicles (SUV) and minivans.

The brace 14 includes suspension posts 42 coupling an upper platform-section 44 and a lower platform-section 46. The brace 14 is releasably secured to the roof of the vehicle 12 via a suspension system. The suspension system may comprise a plurality of suction cups 50. Alternatively, or in addition to the suction cups 50, the brace suspension system can comprise a plurality of elasticized ropes 52 having one end secured to a portion of the upper platform-section 44 or lower platform-section 46 and one end connecting to the window frame of the vehicle 12. That is, the elasticized ropes 52 may include clips 54 disposed at the terminal ends of the elasticized ropes 52 which fasten to the upper section of the window frame of the vehicle 12. Alternatively, the elasticized ropes 52 can be connected to the bottom of the vehicle frame, especially for a sports car protection system arrangement. In an embodiment of the invention, the vehicle protection system 10 includes a pad 56 between the brace 14 and the roof of the vehicle 12. The pad 56 may be constructed of rubber, plastic or polyurethane. By “pad” it is meant that any form of moldable, cushioning material configurable in various shapes, including square or rectangular blocks, can be used. The brace 14 can be constructed of any lightweight, load bearing material such as plastic, fiberglass, and lightweight metal. The brace 14 can also be made of lightweight metal alloys such as aluminum alloy or titanium alloy.

The suspension posts 42, upper platform-section 44 and lower platform-section 46 can be connected by a plurality of connectors 24. Utilizing the connectors 24 made of a flexible material as discussed supra, allows the brace 14 to tilt in the direction of impinging air.

The flexible material 20 is disposed over the vehicle 12 and the brace 14. The flexible material 20, having at least some tensility, encapsulates the vehicle 12 and is coupled to the lower frame 16 providing a barrier from hurricane force winds, heavy rains, and windborne debris. That is, the flexible material 20 can be pulled taut around the lower frame 16 and spaced away from the roof of the vehicle via the brace 14 allowing the vehicle protection system 10 to be impact resistant. Alternatively, the flexible material 20 can have an elastic characteristic that allows the flexible material 20 to change shape in response to debris striking the flexible material 20 and then return to its original form when the force is removed. Either the tensile strain or elasticity of the material will reduce the acceleration of windborne debris over a longer period of time and reduce the force of the impact according to Newton's second law of motion (F=ma). Therefore, the force of the debris impact will be reduced since it will have a longer time to decelerate.

In an embodiment of the invention, the flexible material 20 is air permeable, which permits the flexible material 20 to inflate in response to impinging air. The air permeability of the flexible material 20 increases a magnitude of an internal pressure of the encapsulated area which increases a corresponding volume of the encapsulated area and forms a protective barrier around the vehicle 12. The inflated barrier enhances the protective capabilities of the vehicle protection system 10 by dissipating the kinetic energy of a windborne object to cushion the impact.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the flexible material 20 can be releasably secured to the perimeter rods 18 d by bottom hooks 58, disposed along a perimeter edge 60 of the flexible material 20. The flexible material 20 can also include a second set of hooks 62 positioned at a pre-determined distance above the perimeter edge 60 of the flexible material 20. This second set of hooks 62 permits limited vertical adjustments of the flexible material 20 according to the distance of the spaced periphery. It should be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art that the term “hooks” should include any type of mechanism used to fasten the flexible material 20 to the perimeter edge 60. For example, hooks may include carabineers, Velcro® loops, string, rope, sip ties, etc.

In use, the vehicle 12 is protected from weather by positioning a plurality of anchors 30 beneath the wheels of the vehicle 12. That is, anchors 30 are placed in front of approximately preferably four wheels of the vehicle 12 and the vehicle 12 advances thereon. The vehicle 12 will not be able to move forward when the wheels contact the rear stop 36. The plurality of struts 18 a-18 d are disposed around the vehicle 12, wherein at least two of the struts 18 a and 18 b are coupled to each of the anchors 30. The brace 14 is disposed on the roof of the vehicle 12 by the suspension system including suction cups 50 and/or elasticized 52 ropes connected to the window frames of the vehicle 12. The vehicle is then encapsulated with the flexible material 20 having a perimeter edge 60. The perimeter edge 60 is secured to the lower frame 16 by the bottom hooks 58, or the second set of hooks 62.

There has thus been described a method for protecting a vehicle from weather and an apparatus used in conjunction with the above-described method. Those skilled in the art will recognize that modifications may be made in the method and apparatus described herein without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention which accordingly are intended to be limited solely by the appended claims.

PARTS LIST: 10 Vehicle Protection System 12 Vehicle 14 Brace 16 Lower Frame 18a Struts 18b Struts 18c Struts 18d Struts or Perimeter Rods 19 Assembly Mechanism 20 Flexible Material 22 Terminal Ends 24 Connectors 26a Openings 28 Terminal Ends 30 Anchor Plate 32 Rectangular Base 34 Inclined Entry Ramp 36 Rear Stop 37 End 38a Strut Channel 38b Strut Channel 38c Strut Channel 39 End 40 Clamping Mechanism 42 Suspension Post 44 Upper Platform-Section 46 Lower Platform-Section 50 Suction Cups 52 Elasticized Ropes 54 Clips 56 Pad 58 Bottom Hooks 60 Perimeter Edge 62 Second Set of Hooks 

1. A protection system for a vehicle on a surface comprising: a frame having a plurality of struts projecting from the vehicle, wherein the frame extends along the surface and terminates at a periphery spaced from the vehicle; a brace disposed on the vehicle; and, a flexible material coupling the brace to the periphery of the frame.
 2. The vehicle protection system of claim 1 further comprising an anchor disposed under a wheel of the vehicle, the anchor having a first strut channel and a second strut channel, the first and second strut channels each configured to receive a first end of one of the plurality of struts, wherein at least two of the plurality of struts extend perpendicularly from the anchor.
 3. The vehicle protection system of claim 1 further comprising at least four anchors, each anchor being disposed under a wheel of the vehicle and including a first strut channel and a second strut channel, the first and second strut channels each configured to receive a first end of one of the plurality of struts, wherein at least two of the plurality of struts extend perpendicularly from each anchor.
 4. The vehicle protection system of claim 3, wherein the frame further comprises at least four perimeter rods coupled to a second end of each of the plurality of struts, and wherein the flexible material is releasably secured to the at least four perimeter rods.
 5. The vehicle protection system of claim 4, wherein the flexible material is air permeable and wherein releaseably securing the flexible material to the at least four perimeter rods permits the flexible material to inflate in response to impinging air.
 6. The vehicle protection system of claim 1, wherein the brace further comprises a platform disposed to hold the flexible material distal to the vehicle and a suspension system coupling the platform to the vehicle.
 7. The vehicle protection system of claim 6, wherein the platform is frusto-pyramidal shaped.
 8. The vehicle protection system of claim 7, wherein the frusto-pyramidal shaped platform has a height in the range of two to eight inches.
 9. The vehicle protection system of claim 6, wherein the platform includes two extension poles.
 10. The vehicle protection system of claim 6, wherein the brace further comprises a pad disposed between the brace and the vehicle.
 11. The vehicle protection system of claim 6, wherein the suspension system comprises a plurality of elasticized ropes connected to a portion of the platform.
 12. The vehicle protection system of claim 11, wherein the plurality of elasticized ropes are releasably secured to the vehicle.
 13. The vehicle protection system of claim 6, wherein the suspension system comprises a plurality of suction cups connected to a portion of the platform.
 14. The vehicle protection system of claim 12, wherein the flexible material is air permeable and releasably secured to the at least four perimeter rods permitting the flexible material to inflate in response to impinging air and wherein the impinging air tilts the brace in a direction of the impinging air and increases a magnitude of an internal pressure of the encapsulated area.
 15. The vehicle protection system of claim 14, wherein the increase in the magnitude of an internal pressure of the encapsulated area increases a corresponding volume of the encapsulated area.
 16. The vehicle protection system of claim 15, further comprising an anchor having a first strut channel and a second strut channel, the first strut channel and the second strut channel each including a releasable clamping mechanism and configured to receive a first end of one of the plurality of struts, wherein each releasable clamping mechanism adjustably secures the first end of one of the plurality of struts.
 17. An encapsulation system comprising: a plurality of anchors, each of the anchors having at least two channels and at least two struts projecting from the anchors, wherein the at least two struts extend along a surface and terminate at a spaced location; and, a brace disposed above the plurality of anchors, wherein the brace is coupled to the spaced location of the struts by a flexible material.
 18. The encapsulation system of claim 17, wherein the struts project substantially horizontally from each of the channels of each anchor, and wherein the struts are connected to perimeter rods, the struts and perimeter rods forming a frame and the flexible material and the frame forming an encapsulated area.
 19. The encapsulation system of claim 18, wherein each of the plurality of anchors is disposed under a wheel of a vehicle and wherein the frame is substantially parallel and proximal to the surface.
 20. The encapsulation system of claim 17, wherein the brace further comprises a platform configured to support the flexible material distal to a surface and a suspension system coupling the platform to the surface.
 21. The encapsulation system of claim 20, wherein the platform is frusto-pyramidal shaped.
 22. The encapsulation system of claim 20, wherein the suspension system comprises a plurality of elasticized ropes connected to a portion of the platform and a vehicle.
 23. The encapsulation system of claim 20, wherein the suspension system comprises a plurality of suction cups connected to a portion of the platform and the vehicle.
 24. The encapsulation system of claim 17, wherein the surface is a ground surface.
 25. The encapsulation system of claim 18, wherein the flexible material is air permeable and releasably secured to the perimeter rods permitting the flexible material to inflate in response to impinging air.
 26. The encapsulation system of claim 25, wherein the impinging air tilts the brace in a direction of the impinging air and increases a magnitude of an internal pressure of the encapsulated area.
 27. The vehicle protection system of claim 26, wherein the increase in the magnitude of an internal pressure of the encapsulated area increases a corresponding volume of the encapsulated area.
 28. A method of protecting a vehicle from weather comprising: positioning an anchor beneath a tire of the vehicle; disposing a frame having a plurality of struts around the vehicle; coupling at least two of the plurality of struts to the anchor; disposing a brace on a roof of the vehicle; encapsulating the vehicle with a flexible material having a perimeter edge; and releasably securing the perimeter edge of the flexible material to the frame.
 29. The method of claim 28, wherein the step of coupling at least two of the plurality of struts to the anchor includes connecting a first end of the plurality of struts to channels in the anchor.
 30. The method of claim 28, wherein the step of suspending the brace on the roof of the vehicle includes releasably securing a plurality of elasticized ropes to the vehicle. 